I seem to remember that the Argentière centre has just been renovated. How was it?
How's the gear provided?
Did you mostly ski at Les Grands Montet? Long lines to the lifts?
Did you go for Vallée Blanche?

Yes, Chamonix got the reputation of attracting the hardcore people and it's on many people's to-do list. But I think one has to be at a high skill level to really enjoy it. Most of us are much better served by other resorts in the Alps.

Sounds like you had a good and challenging time! Where are you going next time?

Yes, the centre was refurbished about 2 years ago and is pretty much brand new. Speaking to the regulars, it is a massive improvement over the old, mouldy, cold and leaky building from before. I have no complaints. 4 to a room in bunk beds, showers and toilets are communal on each floor. Ski equipment rooms are in the basement, along with the bar/community room. Same great boot drying racks. Wifi is free but only in the community room (I think this is done on purpose at all UCPA centres - to encourage people to mingle).

Negatives - There is a sauna, but only open for 3 hrs a day, and a climbing room so tiny that you can touch the ceiling standing the floor... ie both useless! The pool is outdoor, and of course frozen over (I brought my swim trunks - how naive!).

After my experience last year, I managed to get there early this year (purchased the arrive the night before option)and scored a bottom bunk! Unlike Flaine, there was much less of a partying atmosphere, although everyone still enjoyed a good apres ski in the bar.

The gear seems pretty standard from my experience last year - Rossi Sin 7/Soul 7 on Look touring bindings with All Track boots. The one oddity is that although beacon/shovel/probes are provided, unlike other UCPA centres, the daypack is not provided and you must remember to bring your own - They do specifically remind you of this on the confirmation email.

Argentière is a charming little village and I'm very happy to have been based there. There's a reasonable sized supermarket that meets most sundary needs, a coin laundry, a few little restaurants and bars, and surprisingly they are not overpriced like most I found in Chamonix. Its was bit of a walk to Grands Montets from the centre - it actually felt more convenient on the days when we took the bus/train from the centre to the other resorts. We did a good mix of itineraries through the valley, pretty much hitting a different area each day - Le Tour, Flégère, Grands Montets, Vallorcine, and itineraries that traverses between these areas. Our group was mainly focused on the touring aspect, so didn't do the Vallée Blanche route.

Next year? Haven't decided... Val d'Isère maybe? Seems to be what everyone raves on about when I asked.

PS- The average age at this centre is definitely older - lots of over 40s and 50s.

If you are over 39 years old, you can book a stay with us, but you need to take few things into consideration:
- To practice sport, you must be in a good shape and be able to practice outdoor sports
- Most of our customers are on average 25 years old:
To book holidays with us, means you agree with their way of being and living
As you are over 39 years old, you could be considered as their parents, and some of them may not appreciate
- Some of our places are pretty old and the accommodations are shared-bedrooms (3 to 8 persons)
- UCPA provides standards of group living ( you set and clear the table, clean your room…)
- and finally, the manager of the destination you chose must approbate your booking, once he is sure you took these features into consideration.

We are just planning join two off-piste UCPA camps. One at Val Thorens, and another at Argentiere.

both of us are Solid Level 8, maybe a little bit higher, according this:http://www.epicski.com/t/49569/refin...l-descriptions
I could zip down single black mogul smoothly, but my wife maybe need 2 more weeks to reach it. Powder is not a problem as we can down with the first track at Niseko and Rusutsu.

Any suggestions? We are looking the ski resort with easy Public Transit.

Have not been to Val Thorens so cant provide a comparasion, but Chamonix is pretty famous for its off-piste. The Argentiere centre is reasonably well served by public transit - train station is 5 mins walk, and buses about 2-3 mins walk.
The only issue I had was transferring from the train station to the local buses at Chamonix central when i first arrived - the stops are not nearby each other and there is no signage or directions - took me a good 45 mins of fumbling and asking around and getting quite confused before i found the right bus stop and got on my way.

We are just planning join two off-piste UCPA camps. One at Val Thorens, and another at Argentiere.

both of us are Solid Level 8, maybe a little bit higher, according this:http://www.epicski.com/t/49569/refin...l-descriptions
I could zip down single black mogul smoothly, but my wife maybe need 2 more weeks to reach it. Powder is not a problem as we can down with the first track at Niseko and Rusutsu.

Any suggestions? We are looking the ski resort with easy Public Transit.

Off-piste at Argentiere is the most difficult one, right ?

Chamonix as a whole is much easier in terms of public transit.

Apparently Val Thorens is in the middle of a piste so there's a fair walk with luggages on arrival. And I think the lift pass in the Val Thorens centre is the local area pass and not the 3 Vallées lift pass.

Wifi is free but only in the community room (I think this is done on purpose at all UCPA centres - to encourage people to mingle).

Some centres charge for Wifi. And I think it's cheaper for them to provide wifi in one limited area (we're not paying much to stay there afterall.

作者: KYL

Negatives - There is a sauna, but only open for 3 hrs a day, and a climbing room so tiny that you can touch the ceiling standing the floor... ie both useless! The pool is outdoor, and of course frozen over (I brought my swim trunks - how naive!).

Hahah... I bought along my swimmer on my stay at the serre chevalier centre. It got a outdoor HEATED pool. I could not get enough courage to get outside the building and into the pool.

作者: KYL

After my experience last year, I managed to get there early this year (purchased the arrive the night before option)and scored a bottom bunk!

作者: KYL

Argentière is a charming little village and I'm very happy to have been based there. There's a reasonable sized supermarket that meets most sundary needs, a coin laundry, a few little restaurants and bars, and surprisingly they are not overpriced like most I found in Chamonix. Its was bit of a walk to Grands Montets from the centre - it actually felt more convenient on the days when we took the bus/train from the centre to the other resorts. We did a good mix of itineraries through the valley, pretty much hitting a different area each day - Le Tour, Flégère, Grands Montets, Vallorcine, and itineraries that traverses between these areas. Our group was mainly focused on the touring aspect, so didn't do the Vallée Blanche route.

Sounds awesome!

作者: KYL

Next year? Haven't decided... Val d'Isère maybe? Seems to be what everyone raves on about when I asked.

Planning to go UCPA Flaine 2017 Jan. Any tips for transport and arrival times. I am planning to arrive on Sat, but the flight arrive 8pm.

Flaine is probably the easiest and cheapest resort to get to via public transport from Geneva except for Chamonix. However, I'm not sure about 8pm arrival. It's probably too early for transit companies to post their bus schedule for the 2016-17 season.

Wow... I'm jealous. I still don't dare booking trips to the snow yet.
Did you go for the off-piste holidays last year? How did they go?

For off-piste, really really really great experiences. With an instructor/guide, could enjoy 80% the best snow condition and terrain. If not, 10%, at most.
Room, food, equipments, all good.
at Les Arcs, Argentiere.